Veteran Maldini wants another shot at the Champions League. - Reuters

milanello, italy (reuters)

AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini confirmed yesterday he will play on for one more season in a bid to reach a ninth Champions League final.

The 38-year-old is set to play in his eighth final against Liverpool next Wednesday and he denied suggestions he might bring his retirement forward if Milan are victorious and the one-club man picks up a fifth winners' medal.

Unbelievable

"It is incredible. It is unbelievable to play games like this at the age of 38," Maldini told Reuters at Milan's training ground.

"My life has been not very normal. I want to play one more year to maybe have the chance to play the ninth final."

Maldini, who recently played in his 600th Serie A match, will be remembered as one of the greatest defenders. The former Italy captain is still not bored of football despite making his debut for Milan back in 1985.

"I still have the chance to have fun playing this sport and staying with my team," he said. "So why not try to win the next one and finish with this type of trophy in 2008?"

A knee injury has hampered Maldini in recent weeks but it will take a lot to stop him playing in Athens next Wednesday, when Milan will be looking to reverse their 2005 final defeat by Liverpool.

"I still have a week to prepare myself. Yesterday I trained and it is not 100 per cent. But I'm positive," he told reporters.

Maldini has yet to decide what he will do after football but he doubts he will stay in the game.

"I don't see my future life as a coach. I'll do something different," he added.